2 Chronicles 17 6

2 Chronicles 17:6 kjv

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:6 nkjv

And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:6 niv

His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:6 esv

His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:6 nlt

He was deeply committed to the ways of the LORD. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 6 Meaning

King Jehoshaphat of Judah wholeheartedly devoted himself to following the commands and principles of the Lord. This sincere commitment was tangibly demonstrated through his proactive removal of idolatrous high places and forbidden Asherim poles throughout the kingdom of Judah. His actions reflected a deep spiritual zeal and commitment to cleansing the land from pagan practices, setting a strong foundation for his reign.

2 Chronicles 17 6 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 17 introduces Jehoshaphat as the fourth king of Judah after the division of the kingdom, succeeding his father Asa. Verses 3-5 establish his early commitment to God, noting that the Lord was with him because he did not follow the ways of Israel's idolatrous kings, but walked in the earlier ways of David. Verse 6 specifically details a key spiritual and practical action stemming from this heart-level commitment: his sweeping religious reform across Judah. Historically, the "high places" (bamot) were popular, localized altars often associated with pagan worship or syncretistic worship of YHWH in ways unauthorized by the central Jerusalem temple. "Asherim" were cultic poles dedicated to the Canaanite fertility goddess Asherah, strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law. Jehoshaphat's removal of these symbolized a rejection of widespread idolatry and a commitment to exclusive worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Torah, emphasizing the Chronicler's theme that obedience brings divine favor and prosperity.

2 Chronicles 17 6 Word analysis

• And his heart took delight (וַיִּגְבַּהּ לִבּוֹ - vayigbah libbo): Literally, "and his heart became high" or "was lifted up." In this positive context, it signifies exaltation, courage, zeal, or taking pleasure. It implies a willing and robust enthusiasm, a spiritual buoyancy and strong resolve to pursue God's ways, rather than mere obligation. His devotion was profound and internal.
• in the ways of the Lord (בְּדַרְכֵי יְהוָה - b'darkei Adonai): "Ways" (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh) refers to God's commandments, statutes, principles, and His divinely appointed methods of worship and conduct. It signifies living in alignment with God's revealed will and righteousness.
• moreover (עוֹד - od): This conjunction emphasizes that the subsequent action (removing idolatry) was a direct and active consequence of his inner delight and resolve. It connects his internal spiritual state to his external actions.
• he removed (הֵסִיר - hesir): This is a Hiphil form, indicating active causation or initiation. Jehoshaphat didn't just passively tolerate or overlook; he actively took steps to cleanse and eliminate the forbidden worship sites, demonstrating decisive leadership in religious matters.
• the high places (הַבָּמוֹת - ha-bamot): Plural of בָּמָה (bamah). These were elevated cult sites used for sacrifices and worship. While some might have originally been dedicated to YHWH, they were not authorized by the Mosaic Law, which designated the Jerusalem Temple as the central place of worship. Over time, they often became centers of syncretism and outright pagan practices.
• and the Asherim (וְהָאֲשֵׁרִים - v'ha'asherim): Plural of אֲשֵׁרָה (asherah). These were wooden poles or cultic images, often associated with groves, dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah (consort of Baal). Their presence was a clear marker of idolatry and an abomination to the Lord, strictly forbidden (Deut 16:21).
• from Judah (מִיהוּדָה - mi-Yehudah): Specifies the geographical scope of his reform – within his own southern kingdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord": This phrase highlights the personal and internal nature of Jehoshaphat's faith. It was not merely an outward show or political maneuver, but a deep-seated affection and zeal for God's directives. This positive disposition contrasted sharply with the reluctance or spiritual apathy often seen in other kings. It signifies genuine devotion and an eagerness to follow divine wisdom, forming the root of his subsequent righteous actions.
• "moreover, he removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah": This directly links his internal delight to external, tangible acts of reform. It demonstrates that true spiritual commitment is evidenced by obedience that actively purges evil. The specific targets (high places and Asherim) were major strongholds of idolatry and syncretism, making their removal a significant act of fidelity to the covenant and a testament to his comprehensive approach to religious purity in his domain. This action defined the initial character of his reign and established a foundation for national well-being.

2 Chronicles 17 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's particular theological emphasis: The positive portrayal of Jehoshaphat's zealous reforms serves to instruct the post-exilic community about the benefits of wholehearted devotion to YHWH and the importance of adhering to Mosaic Law, especially concerning proper worship at the Jerusalem Temple.
• The tension with 2 Chr 20:33 where it says the high places were not removed can be understood in several ways: (1) not all high places, implying a partial success in 17:6 vs. complete purge; (2) high places associated purely with YHWH worship (albeit improper) might have persisted, unlike the pagan Asherim; (3) later re-establishment after the initial reforms; or (4) refers to different regions or aspects of the "high places." However, verse 6 definitively states the successful removal of the idolatrous ones, particularly the Asherim, reflecting a significant initial cleansing.
• Jehoshaphat's active participation in this reform, implied by "he removed," suggests that he used his royal authority to implement these changes, indicating strong and direct leadership in religious matters, as opposed to simply delegating or giving lip service.

2 Chronicles 17 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:6 concisely reveals the driving force and immediate result of King Jehoshaphat's piety. His "heart took delight in the ways of the Lord," signifying that his obedience flowed from genuine zeal and not mere political calculation. This deep, internal devotion manifested externally in decisive action against prominent forms of idolatry. The systematic removal of high places and Asherim demonstrated his commitment to restoring covenant purity within Judah. While later texts (2 Chr 20:33) note that some high places remained or re-emerged, verse 6 captures the significant, foundational effort of his early reign, underscoring that a king's genuine love for God naturally leads to tangible efforts to eradicate evil and promote true worship. This proactive purification of the land contributed significantly to Judah's subsequent stability and blessing under his rule. It exemplifies that true faith is always active and reforming.